MILAN!

__________________

Of course it is; that's why foreign players have to dive all over the place to get free kicks because it's such a lightweight league. If you consider that a player doing seven step-overs and throwing themselves to the floor in balletic fashion is skilful then good for you.

There aren't many players in the world that are genuinely skilful under intense pressure and to say that the Brazillian league or the Spanish league is predominantly populated with that sort of player while the English Premier League is completely devoid of them is ludicrous. For every Messi and Ronaldinho in La Liga there is a Rooney or Cole in the Premier League.

You have yet to convince me that you know what you're talking about.

__________________

Rooney bad? What the fuck are you watching?

The English game is far different, but that's what I like. I like the poor pitches , crosses, and roughness of the English prem. What does concern me however is how much simulation is sneeking into the english game.

And John, where are your tickets located, and I might be studying in England next year, how much would I expect to pay for United season tickets (somewhere close to the pitch, first teir)?.

I'm in row 21 of the Kop, seat 27 I think. It's near the corner flag but it's still a good view.

I think the waiting list on a United season ticket is fairly lengthy, even with the recent downturn in fortunes. United are still reasonably priced though; match tickets can go for anything between about £25-£50 depending on which part of Old Trafford you get the tickets for.

I think the Glazers are putting the prices up, though, in lieu of their loan repayments. I'd check out the United website - there's probably loads of information on ticketing there.

__________________

7-0

7-0


7-0


7-0


(ps sorry for not relizing there was a thread already for this, someone wasn't having a very smart day....)

__________________

kkkkk
understood dude 7-0 ( livapool vs birmigham city )

Congratulations to Phil Neville on scoring his first goal for Everton.

An own goal against Liverpool in the derby! hahahahaha

THREE ONE, THANK YOU VERY MUCH

Benfica vs Barcelona ended 0-0.
not a bad result considering Benfica was playing against 14 players. 2 penalties left unmarked, offsides that never were and yellow cards that were forgotten in the referee pocket.

Ronaldinho once again proved what's already common knowledge: he's only has good as the opponent defense let's him be. he did shit tonight.

alas, we have to wait for an unbiased referee on the 2nd leg . if that happens, it's an easy win for us.

0-0 vs Barca is very respectable

Need a towel to wipe away all those tears? Maybe if the benficia players could stay on their feet a yellow would have been warrented. . Easy win LOL, I dunno what game you were watching.

However Arsenal beating juventus was one dirty as hell. Juve had like 22 fouls by half time

You're right about the ref.He "helped" Barcelona in many
occasions but Barcelona played better than Benfica anyway.
There sure was one penalty he should have given(Motta's hand),what
was the second?
Ronaldinho didn't play too well but that's certainly not a result of
Benfica's super defenders!
Benficas goalkeeper is the MAN!I was watching the game
just to see him score an own goal,but he disappointed me.
We'll beat you in the second round(I assume you're with Benfica)

__________________

Yeh, 2 players sent off with minutes to go. Retards

But if you look at the replay, his hand was already out way before the ball was even in the air, and once it was he tried to bring his hand towards him to protect himself. I can completely understand why it wasn't hand ball, but I can also see why benfica fans felt cheated.

Wow, Juve don't really have it well with english opposition, do they?

__________________

You failed to make any points about the actual English game.

Indeed The Premiership game, and even all the way down to the Sunday Leagues, is a very physical game. For example: When Messi was put up against the Chelsea defence he found it hard to impose his speed upon the likes of Del Horno, (which in my eyes was a complete accident and not worthy of a booking, Messi jumped into Del Horno anyway), and Terry. Several Premiership teams have cancelled out Arsenal's flowing passing game by going physical on them, but look what Arsenal did to Juve and Real.

If you put someone like Messi in the English game in the state he is in, I doubt he'd survive long. Ronaldinho, yeah sure, if he came over now it would be no different from when Henry came over, (learning their trade and skills abroad and then having to apply and adapt to the 'rough' English game).

I don't know exactly which English games you've watched, but from the ones I've watched over the past fifteen years, speed, tactics and brute force can all be found.

__________________

i hope Barça wins against Real. i want to see a motivated Barça on March 5th. i just hope... fuck that, i beg that Beto doesn't play. he's worthless, especially when you have people like Karagounis rotting on the bench.

if you think Moretto fucked up against Barça you should see our home games. that man must have connections with jesus as he is the most lucky goalkeeper i've ever seen.

anyways, my team for the 2nd leg:

keeper: Moretto (his luck will protect us)

defence: Léo, Luisão, Anderson, Ricardo Rocha

midfield: Simão, Petit, Manuel Fernandes (great future for this kid), toss up between either Robert or Giovanni, maybe Manduca

attack: a returning Nuno Gomes and Miccoli

Go Benfica!...oh...

yeah I never thought I'd see the day where Arsenal would roll Juventus. That said, Nedved never had a part in either of there games really (not taking part in the first, being sent off in the 2nd leg), nor did Del Piero. Contributed to their decline in the first leg.

Barcelona still remains the obvious favourite - but I'm going for Milan or Arsenal. Milan because of Jaap Stam, he looks like a wrestler. and Shevchenko. Sneaky fucking Russian. But in all seriousness, GO THE GUNNERS!

I can't wait to see if this rumour about Henry going to Barcelona is true or not. Eto'o and Henry.. hmm..

we were beyond nervous for some reason and Beto did everything he could to let Barcelona win.

anyways, fair loss and good luck Barça.

Arsenal - United tomorrow.

Perdictions to follow

United 2 - 1 just because I think they have a better squad

1-1 draw

__________________

2 - 0 even better then I thought. United were solid the entire game.
Vidic played well and I liked when Evra, Silvestre, and Saha were playing on the left side. Oh and that english lad played well too.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! WHY SUNDERLAND WHY!!!!!!!

That's what you get for supporting the shite.

__________________

I don't think United will win at Spurs today, either. Chelsea's title.

__________________

hmm i watched man united i think it was beat the shit out of west brom pretty crazy

__________________

They're actually winning 1-0 after 10 minutes.

__________________

man united won 3-1

__________________

Ahem, 2-1.

__________________

.....

__________________

Liverpool fans are just jelous

Why? We're in the FA Cup final and until mid-May are still reigning European Champions!

__________________

Well England's done....
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/s...=366280&cc=5901

Pretty much.

__________________

Surprise, surprise. Man, if they get Ballack next season, you might as well let them keep the title.

can't wait to see Ronaldinho tear up Arsenal. Though, Arsenal's defense is VERY solid as of late, and Henry is undoubtedly in my mind the greatest striker in the world at the moment, so anything can happen I guess.

Yeah, England is pretty much pooped - isn't Owen still limping about after 6 weeks off?

He's played 30 minutes since Christmas... and that was on Saturday. He's not going to be anywhere near the required level of match sharpness. Jhn Terry is also out for a month with ankle ligament damage. It's fair to say that England's world cup looks over before it has even started.

It doesn't look much brighter for the Aussies either, with Cahill, Kewell and Schwarzer injured. Kewell should be fit in time, though (hopefully for the FA Cup final a week Saturday).

__________________

41 days till the world cup starts

__________________

lets see what happens in the champions league finals.Arsenals kept a clean sheet for athe past 10 matches n kinda think that they will be able to score.im still placing my bets on Barca
this one imo just might be decided on penalties

__________________

When has it ever looked bright at ALL for the Aussies in the World Cup? haha. Cahill and Kewell should be alright, Schwarzer is the one to worry about. Broken cheekbone is never good, especially for a goalkeeper. He might have to wear a facemask, but that's no drama. as long as he can see, ha.

something I found funny, check this out:

"Brazilian star Ronaldo says he has never heard of Harry Kewell or Mark Viduka. Ronaldo, who faces the Aussies in Munich on June 18, told a sports magazine this week he knew of only one Australian player, "the one who plays for Osasuna." He was presumably referring to John Aloisi, even though Aloisi has left Osasuna for another Spanish side, Alaves"

Last time Australia played Brazil, we got demolished. 6-0. Kinda funny - seriously though, what hope has a team like Australia got when you've got a side that boasts players like Kaka, Ronaldinho, Robinho, Adriano, Roberto Carlos, Ze Roberto, Ronaldo, Cafu.. wait, I might as well just mention the whole fucking team.

It is pretty much a dream final, two of the best attacking teams in the world against each other. Ideal soccer game to watch. It'll make it interesting the match being played on neutral ground.

Barcelona is easily the best side in Europe at the moment, my bet is on them for sure.

Ha, I bet he knows more about pies than Aussie footballers!

__________________

hahahaha

__________________

ITS SOCCER DAMMIT!!!! WHAT IS WITH YOU PEOPLE AND CALLING IT FOOTBALL!!!!

__________________

Because he is English you fucking twat

you silly bastard

__________________

Um, yeah... You do know that we invented the game, right?

__________________

For those not in the know, Sven has named his squad for the world cup - Rooney is in there, so is, by all suprises, a teenager named Theo Wallcot. Now, Theo was bought by Arsenal in January from Championship side Southampton, he has played for the Arsenal reserves and that is all. Sven has prefered this untested 17 year old over proven player Jermaine Defoe, hence Sven's Parting Blow.

Though, England supporters don't lose hope - for the last two England Internationals, Sven's 'plan B' has won us each game, which non in the media has picked up upon.

By the way, anyone know if SWP was named? Oh, nope, one of the catalysts in the plan B has been left out, sorry, plan B is creaking a bit now too. All we need now is for the dubiously named Mr. Crouch to knock himself out walking into the plane.

__________________

here you go, all the squads get updated as they are announced. Cheers

Theo Wallcot is supposed to be very good

__________________

why has Marco van Basten left out Edgar Davids, Roy Makaay and Clarence Seedorf of the Dutch WC squad???

Probably for the same reasons why Eriksson has left out Defoe, King and Wright-Phillips, i.e he's gone competely insane!

__________________

Carlton Cole was suppopsed to be very good too, two seasons ago that is. So was Kevin Phillips, four seasons ago. There's an endless list of pressure being piled upon unproven potential for English players - with a majority failing to live up to that potential.

Talking of Chelsea, (carlton cole), rumours and transfer talk has me thinking their squad will be somewhat depleted before the World Cup is over - what with Lyon prepared to pay 40 Million Euros for Drogba, a ridiculous price considering he is shit. Gallas moving to Milan, Robben wanting to play in Spain and Bradley Wright-Phillips insisting that his brother returns to Man City.

__________________

hahahahaha

hahaha what a fuckin dumass

__________________

I'm not suprised he has left Seedorf out - for the first time in a few years, thanks to Bravo, I've managed to watch Serie A games. To be honest with you, Milan have had the same kind of season Chelsea have had, they've played at an awful standard yet still manage to win games. He has most certainly been in indifferent form, more so in Europe than Italy.

Davids is getting old, simple as really - he's not even half the player he was when he started for Juventus - though, to be fair to him, he has had that kind of Makélélé role for Spurs this year, a role which is never noticed really.

Roy Makaay? He is playing in a League that is in a fucking mess, there is only one team that can contend in Europe, granted he plays for them. Just an opinion but, I wouldn't want a striker that is beating teams that can't even compete in the EUFA cup - i.e. he isn't being tested against the best on a regular basis. If you compare Bayern and the Bundesleague, (sp?), to England, Italy and Spain - the latter have around five teams each that can easily beat anyone in Europe on their day.

I don't think it's case of Sven gone mad with van Basten, rather he is thinking about players who are competing and performing consistently in their respective leagues against the bigger clubs.

__________________

It's also worth a note - Andrei Shevchenko has stated his desire to play in England, not because of money mind you, his decision is based upon his family - why then he wouldn't want to play in Spain is beyond me. Anyway, since this has come to light Chelsea have said they are more than willing to let Crespo return to Italy, something that Crespo has wanted to do - the only thing stopping him was the grotesque shitness of Drogba. Now then, now then - Milan would only let Sheva leave if they had a decent replacement for him, (i.e. Eto'o, Henry or, fuck me, Crespo). Buisness is buisness, and by my reckonings - Gallas will have one more year at Chelsea before moving to Milan next year - Milan will be prepared for p/ex for Crespo and Shevchenko.

But, my reckonings are shit - Chelsea will give Milan Gallas and Crespo for Shevchenko.

So far, Chelsea have Sheva, Ballack....leaving, as stated by Chelsea's three 'in transfers' for the summer, one player yet to be rumoured for a move to Stamford Bridge - DO THEY FUCKING NEED ANYMORE FUCKING PLAYERS?!

Greedy bastards.

__________________

Well your Makaay argument doesn't really make sense seeing as he named Van der Vaart, Khalid Boulahrouz and de jong

He left out Davids because he doesn't have anywhere close to the pace he once had, and he left out Seedorf because he has always underachieved playing for the Oranje.

But our starting 11 impresses me very much

PSV, AZ, Ajax. All are more than talented to progress further than they have in the Champion's League. German teams seem to have just peated out over the past few years and there is only one dominant European team coming from Germany. It's just unfortunate that those teams don't do that well against other teams in Holland, their form doesn't reverbarate into Europe, even though they have the capacity.

But, though they don't seem to overwhelm teams in Holland, they always seem to churn out the results and manage to qualify for the Champion's League - something that can be compared to Chelsea and their dire performance this year, yet still retaining the League title.

My point is, performing well against teams that give you a hard time is better than performing well against teams that you can beat with your reserve team.

__________________

That, I do agree with.

__________________

But all those players play in Germany and play for Hamburger SV.......

My apologies then, I thought Van der Vart still played in Holland - which, ultimately, shows my knowledge of European football.

But then, the same opinion can be projected - teams in Germany that are rising above their League 'peers', so to speak, thanks to those kind of players performing on a consistent basis.

I still think, though, that you are missing my point about top players playing against top teams - Makaay, obviously, isn't in van Basten's eyes. It can be the same for Andy Johnson competing in the Championship in England, he is way above the class that that League requires - which, maybe, is why he has not been included in the England squad, which, in turn, may have swayed the dicision to include Walcott instead, (due to his performances against reserve teams that are strong enough to compete against other premiership sides) - (so, comparisons to Holland and England selections can begin, as John has stated). On that point, after seeing some footage of Walcott I admit I was a bit too hasty in condemming Erikson's decision to include him.

I'm not saying my opinions are right, obviously my lack of opaque thought is clear on this - I'm just pointing out that maybe he has left out Maykaay because he is a talented player playing in a League way below his standard, the other players in the League are, maybe, performing above their standard.(?)

Despite my obvious lack of Euproean football knowledge, I hope you finally see my point with that comparison.

__________________

In all fairness, Roy Makaay is a better striker anyday and time then Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, or Vennegoor of Hesselink in my eyes anyways. But its funny how many players have 0 caps at all

That, again, is my point though - you look at the type of players each are coming up against. Make no mistake, if Makaay was still playing, and playing like he has for Bayern, for Depo then he would most certainly be in the Dutch squad.

Still, I refer to the Crespo issue - it seems as though Bayern are potential suitors for his contract now too - and, in Europe Crespo and Makaay would be a deadly combination.

__________________

We should make a World cup betting pool with all the metal tab footy fans. I'd be willing to run it, and we could even wager on it.

I fail to see how it would work, but - my bet is on Brazil. I'm even in a pub pool for Brazil, especially bought the new away Brazil tee for it...so...Brazil for the winzeez.....what ever the fuck winzeez means.

[edit]
By the way, I don't think you realise how drunk I was upon hearing that I had Brazil in the pub pool.

__________________

well it would work something like pick a starting 11, forwards goals worth 3 points, midfielder goals are worth 5 points and defender goals are worth 7.
Pick one captain, whomever that player may be his points are doubled. Cleen sheets are worth 10 points. I know there are websites that are having pools where you can start your own league for like $5 CDN and you pay a 20 one time entry fee to that site and whoever wins the pool by most points gets all the money. Rules/points can be worked out and shit if people are interested.

That's a great idea.I'm in

__________________

Milan are saying they'll never sell Sheva. I don't think I would either, he's scored the most goals for Milan in the last 50 years. I doubt they need the money either. If Sheva does ask for a transfer, then they're in trouble.

Compared to Juventus at the moment, Milan are in a plethora of happiness.

Anyway, Ballack has completed his move - oddities? He wants the number 13 shirt, his favoured, which is currently worn by non other than..brrrrrr, Gallas. I'll let you think about that whilst I point out more things which would point to the fact that Sheva is moving to Chelsea.

Gallas says he wants to leave Chelsea, preferably for Milan.
Shevchenko says he wants to leave Milan for England. Milan are only prepared to let him go if the have a replacement striker, their words not mine.
A few hours after that story came out, Milan's best performing European striker from last season, Crespo, says he wants to return to Italy.

__________________

I think even Berluskoni recently said that Shevchenko will be playing
for Chelsea next year.
Gallas will leave Chelsea for sure.

__________________

barcelona v/s aresnal in an hour or so

cant fuckin wait

__________________

its about to start in a couple of mins

__________________

Barc(th)elona! Barc(th)elona!one!

Um, Mr. crazy German man has been sent off - I ask then why Barcelona aren't up instead.

Er, it's kind of disgusting when you see a mob of players holding up their hands in a card gesture - it's, er, kind of unsporting. So is Spanish football.

I can't see Arsenal winning this with ten men, but - after that incident with the cards I have now changed my supporting stance to Arsenal. (Not because the card was given mind you, but because of the way the Barc(th)a players conducted themselves.

Plus, Sol Cambell has ust scored.

__________________

fuck i thought barca were gonna whip arsenals ass

why cant campbell score goals like those in England matches

__________________

1-1
fuck yeah

__________________

2-1 Barca
hell yea

__________________

awesome match. Henry was so pissed when the match was all said and done, hahaha.

Barcaaaaaaaaaa!!!!
If it wasn't for that stupid referee the game would be much better.
He should count the goal and not give the red card,it
would be more interesting then.I fell sorry about Pires,
the poor guy played 20 minutes only and got substituted
without doing anything wrong.
Henry was very friendly with Barcelona's players,
I wonder why

Man of the Match?
I'd say Larsson or Henry

Ronaldinho didn't play so good

__________________

id say larsson......if not for him barca prob would not hav one the game

__________________

He is staying at Arsenal.

Despite being on the pitch for less then half the game, Larsson changed everything. Ronaldinho was reduced to being a statue for most of the game, er?...the way to deal with him cracked? I think so.

That final kind of reminded me of the second leg of the Chelsea v Liverpool semi-final last year, unfortunatly Barca are better than Chelsea and I think that their desire, and Larsson, changed the score line. Evidently you have to question Lehman's sending off and how it effected the game, but - Arsenal still scored with 10 men, kept creating chances and they held Barca out until the last twelve minutes - I personally think they played better with 10 than they did with 11 men.

__________________

Larsson for sure. 2 assists, the first one was a fuckin' excellent one at that. But still.. anyone agree with Henry that Eto'o was offside?

Ronaldinho didn't exactly play BADLY. By his standards, maybe. He destroyed Arsenal's back 4 with that first through-pass that lead to Lehmann getting sent off and Giuly scoring the goal which was disallowed. Though he wasn't a key playmaker in that match, his passing was still magic.

I read today that Henry is going to renew his contract for 4 years.

I don't think the goal Eto'o scored was offside.Wenger also said it was offside.
You think it was offside?

Yes,Ronaldinho played bad only if you compare him with his usual playing,
that's what I meant before anyway.

yep. Which means Henry will effectively end his career at Arsenal. laaaaaaaame.

It wasn't offside.